Government continues focus on Jaffna development

* Food availability improved

* Prices of most essential items stabilised

COLOMBO: The Government continues to focus its attention on delivering essential goods as well as development to the Jaffna Peninsula in the face of tremendous obstacles posed by the conflict, according to a Peace Secretariat team that recently visited the area.

The team visited a total of 13 outlets in Kudathanai, Atchuweli and Jaffna and conducted distribution and price audits to ascertain the nature of the flow of goods and the stability of consumer prices in Jaffna.

The team found that the overall availability of food in Jaffna had improved and the prices of most essential items had stabilised.

The team also visited key infrastructure projects coordinated by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), including the housing project at Kudathanai. It was found that 76 houses had been completed and occupied (out of a total of 150 planned to be built).

Rainer Frauenfeld, Country Director, UNOPS, said that the rest of the houses will be completed and handed over by August 25. He also said that three of the five schools to be constructed under the project had been completed and that the other two would be completed by mid October.

Meetings with the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce officials helped the team ascertain the problems faced by the trading community. They had pointed out the difficulties in transporting produce from Jaffna to markets in Colombo, the pilferage and damage of goods from Colombo, the high price of cement and that livelihood opportunities are less.

Action pertaining to these issues was discussed and SCOPP agreed to work with relevant bodies in Colombo to help lessen inconveniences.

Another important issue was the need to improve transport infrastructure. Meetings with Chambers of Commerce had made it clear that, despite the strenuous efforts of the Commissioner General of Essential Services to satisfy needs in the Jaffna Peninsula, methods of transporting more goods would be welcome.

Whilst SCOPP recognised the efforts of the business community to charter vessels for this purpose and the encouragement by the Government of this initiatives, it noted the need for expanding harbour facilities. In this context it welcomed the attempts of the Government to develop facilities at various locations in the Jaffna Peninsula.

It notes that the international community has agreed to assist in this regard and urges that action be expedited. This is particulary important in the case of the Point Pedro Harbour, resuscitation of which would also help with employment opportunities in the area.

Prompt action by the international community in areas that have been agreed would certainly help with ensuring a ready flow of goods to the Jaffna Peninsula and defeat attempts to create unnecessary shortages and excessive pricing and the resultant suffering of the people.

Government Agent, Jaffna, Ganesh and the Bishop of Jaffna, Fr. Saundranayagam echoed the concerns of the Chamber of Commerce, but said that the governance structure in Jaffna had improved over the past two months.

SCOPP also met with Jaffna Commander, Major General Chandrasiri, who commended the work done by SCOPP and observed that it is a new dimension in the quest for peace and normalcy. He solicited SCOPPs help to organise an education tour to Colombo for Jaffna students.

SCOPP will continue to work with Government agencies as well as multilateral agencies, Security Forces and non-governmental organisations to ensure the continued flow of essential goods to the North so that the dividends of securing territory accrues to the people.